24 Follower

-Gate Guardian successfully killed!

-You have killed a Mini Boss! Awarding 10 AP!

-Got Crumbled Rock x10

-Got Golem Core x1

-Got Black Rock x2

-Got Rock Armor

-Got 500,000 Exp(Got 100,000 Exp for performing Instant Kill!)(Title Effects Activated, 600,000 Exp Received)

-Got 100 Swordsman SP, 100 Magician SP, 50 Ninja SP, 50 Paladin SP, 100 Cleric SP, 150 Magic Knight SP

-Congratulations! You have leveled up...

----

The congratulatory message popped up on the screen as I took down the Gate Guardian, but to be honest, I wasn't all that thrilled. It might be my first time slaying it in this timeline, but I've been through this life before, so it didn't feel like much of an accomplishment. Nevertheless, the rewards were definitely worth it. Skill points were doled out to all the classes I used during the battle, based on how long I'd employed their skills and how much they contributed to the fight. It wasn't a bad system, but mastering every skill in every class tree would require some serious grinding – and I couldn't help but think that might be a waste of time.

I shifted my attention to the loot I'd collected. Most of it was just materials I had no immediate use for, but there was one item that caught my eye. Among the loot was a piece of armor – the Rock Armor, the same gear that the Gate Guardian always dropped when defeated.

----

[Rock Armor]

Type: Armor Equipment

Rarity: Rare Tier

Equippable at level 15

Equippable by: All classes

Stats:

END: 25

AGI: -100

Info: This armor isn't just tough; it's rock-solid! We've harnessed the might of the sturdiest stones around to give you unbeatable protection. But be warned, it comes with a trade-off – your agility takes a nosedive. You'll move as gracefully as a sloth in a sprint!

Note: Wearing this armor is like trying to win a dance-off in cement shoes. So, if you're okay with becoming the world's slowest ninja, go ahead and suit up!

-----

This armor may boast a solid endurance boost, but it seriously cramps my agility – a major drawback, not just a minor inconvenience. Slapping this thing on would practically turn me into a snail, which is no good. So, I let out an exasperated sigh and stowed it away in my backpack. Maybe the Versatile Weapon will find it more to its liking down the road.

With the Gate Guardian lying lifeless, I leap down from its colossal form and take in the sight of the slowly crumbling giant. Without its core to power it, it's just a massive hunk of rock doomed to fall apart sooner or later.

As the carriage creeps closer following the Guardian's demise, Lina cautiously approaches to confirm it's down for the count. Meanwhile, her mother pokes her head out of the window to survey the outside world.

I stride up to them, signaling that the danger has passed.

"Hey, you guys alright? No one got hurt or anything?" I inquired.

"Yeah, we're all good. We were pretty far away when that monster went on its rampage, so we managed to avoid most of the damage. Once we heard you took care of it, we thought we'd swing by to check in," Lina replied, eyeing the crumbled Gate Guardian.

Lina walked up to me and gave a nod of appreciation.

"We're grateful for your actions against that formidable obstacle that stood in our path, shielding us from imminent danger. Without your intervention, we might have suffered significant losses."

"No need for thanks; it's all part of the job I signed up for. When I took on the responsibility of escorting you, ensuring your safety became my top priority."

I took a moment to scan the area, checking for any remaining hidden threats that could jeopardize the carriage. Fortunately, it appeared that the only menace in the vicinity had been dealt with.

With the danger now behind us, we resumed our journey down the road.

As we continued on our way, Lina struck up a conversation with me.

"Have you ever had the opportunity to teach others how to defend themselves?"

I squinted at her, a puzzled expression forming on my face.

"Hmm, you know, I'm not sold on the idea that having someone else teach you is gonna magically turn you into a battlefield champ," I remarked, with my tone a mix of seriousness and curiosity. "But, hey, if you're talking about picking up some battle tips, I reckon I could give you a few pointers. What's got you thinking about this all of a sudden?"

"You know, being a Battle Maid isn't just about the whole "fighting while doing the maid thing" deal. It's about being damn good at taking down enemies too. Your little display back there made me realize I've got some serious catching up to do. Since you seem all about dishing out guidance to anyone willing to learn, I'm here to sign up for your lessons. Teach me your combat skills, and I'll become a top-notch Battle Maid!" Lina declared, giving me a respectful nod as she sought my guidance.

"Wait, what?" I was genuinely taken aback. I hadn't planned on recruiting her just yet; I needed to level up my game and impress her first. Plus, when it comes to Battle Maids, it's supposed to be me asking them to join my adventure, not the other way around.

"Follow me? But I'm no pro in this fightin' business. What could I possibly teach you?" I raised an eyebrow, genuinely puzzled.

"Listen, even though you're just starting out, there's somethin' about you that screams potential. I've got this gut feelin' that you're the one who can help me outta this rut I'm in. I'm willin' to be your sidekick, your wingman, your follower – whatever you wanna call it. I promise not to let you down."

Just then, a pop-up window lit up my screen.

[Battle Maid Lina humbly requests to be your apprentice. Will you accept her? Note: If you decline, her Friendship Points will plummet to zero.]

(Yes/No)

I had my doubts at first, but considering I was planning to recruit her anyway, why drag it out when she's already eager to join my team? I didn't waste any time and clicked the "Yes" button without hesitation.

-Congratulations! Battle Maid Lina is now following you!

-As your follower, she'll earn the same amount of EXP as you, even when she's not in battle. Plus, she'll benefit from any active title effects. Your EXP isn't split with her, so you can still level up as usual.

-Now she has access to the Summon's Area, and she can even build her own place there. If you want to learn more, check out the FAQ.

I was pretty surprised when I read that second notice. I remembered how Followers used to snag some of your EXP whenever you completed a quest or took down a monster. People always said in forums and to each other that it's best to only roll with Followers when you're maxed out in levels or having a tough time going solo against monsters and want some backup.

Now, it looks like I can keep all that EXP to myself, and my Follower still gets a piece of the action and gets the benefits of my title. That's a major win in my book. But, seriously, how did this change even happen? Is there something unique to this timeline?

"Alright, ever since you signed up to be my student, you'll need to put in the effort to up your game in combat skills. But don't worry, I'm not a total hard-ass. Just make sure you're picking up a thing or two, and if you ever feel like I'm a lousy teacher, you're not bound to stick around. No chains, no obligations."

"Got it, Master!" Lina beamed.

As we were shooting the breeze, it suddenly hit us that we'd reached our destination. The bustling hub where all the action goes down, the place where gamers will be hanging out most of the time in the Resurgia Continent: The Capital.